Our Mission

The mission of the San Francisco SPCA is to save and protect animals, provide care and treatment, advocate for their welfare and enhance the human-animal bond.

As the fourth oldest humane society in the U.S. and the founders of the No-Kill movement, the SF SPCA has always been at the forefront of animal welfare. As a result of our efforts and those of our community partners, San Francisco has the lowest euthanasia rate of any major city in the United States. No adoptable dog or cat in San Francisco goes without a home, even if they have medical or other issues.

In 2014 we merged with Pets Unlimited, a likeminded animal welfare nonprofit in Pacific Heights. Their organization included a nonprofit veterinary hospital that provided significant financial assistance to pet guardians in need, as well as a small adoption center. The original SF SPCA campus in the Mission, and the additional campus in Pacific Heights, are now working toward the same shared mission and goals.

We imagine a community where every animal has a loving home. Where animals don’t need the support of San Francisco’s rescues and shelters. And we know how to get there.

In 2012, the SF SPCA created Vision 2020—a road map to end animal abandonment in San Francisco by 2020. The plan identifies three main reasons animals end up in shelters—overpopulation, barriers to veterinary care and pet behavior issues. By addressing these issues aggressively, we will make San Francisco the first city in the nation to end animal homelessness. All our programs and services support at least one of three Vision 2020 principles: prevention, rescue and education.

Prevention

By preventing overpopulation and surrenders, we will help ensure that animals never need to enter a shelter. How will we do it?

Free and low-cost spay-neuter

Comprehensive behavior services and resources

Charity veterinary care

Expanded trap-neuter-return, which stops cat overpopulation at the source

Rescue

We will rescue every healthy, adoptable and medically treatable cat and dog by increasing adoptions, expanding foster programs, exposing puppy mills and changing consumer attitudes towards buying puppies online. How will we do it?

High-volume adoptions

Post-adoption support

Comprehensive veterinary care

Increased foster and fospice programs

Education

Education rounds out the Vision 2020 plan. As we provide information and support to the community, we encourage advocacy. And, with our robust youth programs, we’re creating the next generation of animal advocates. How will we do it?